Indian Embassy rescues 75 Indians trapped in Cambodia cyber fraud scam
text_fields
The Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh, with the help of Cambodian authorities, managed to free approximately 75 Indians out of 130 complaints from the clutches of cyber slavery, where individuals tricked into it are forced to carry out cyber fraud operations.
Second Secretary Avaran Abraham revealed that 75 individuals have been rescued from the clutches of this fraudulent network thus far, according to The Indian Express.
Reports suggest that over 5,000 Indians are allegedly being held against their will in Cambodia, coerced into carrying out cyber fraud schemes that have reportedly swindled victims in India of approximately Rs 500 crore over the last six months. Sources indicate that these victims were manipulated into extorting money from unsuspecting individuals by posing as law enforcement officials, citing fabricated suspicions regarding parcels.
The gravity of the situation prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convene a meeting earlier this month, collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and other security experts to devise a strategy for rescuing the trapped Indians.
Abraham emphasized the embassy's proactive approach in responding to complaints, promptly notifying local authorities upon receipt of distress calls. He underscored the challenge of persuading rescued individuals to file formal complaints with Indian law enforcement agencies, noting that such action is crucial for initiating investigations into the facilitating agents and companies.
Despite facing obstacles such as the reluctance of some victims to immediately escape due to financial entanglements and the withholding of passports by fraudulent companies, the embassy has successfully coordinated with Cambodian authorities to effect rescues. Abraham highlighted that many victims were deceived into believing they were taking up legitimate data entry jobs, only to realize their predicament upon arrival in Cambodia.
The ordeal faced by these victims underscores the need for heightened vigilance against cyber fraud and human trafficking. The Indian government has pledged to continue collaborating with Cambodian authorities to dismantle these criminal networks and ensure the safe return of affected individuals to their homeland.